1. 1. TRPM8 is the Principal Mediator of Menthol-induced Analgesia of Acute and Inflammatory Pain, Boyi Liu, Lu Fan, Shrilatha Balakrishna, Aiwei Sui, John B. Morris, and Sven-Eric Jord, Pain. 2013 October; 154(10): 2169–2177

      Conclusion: TRPM8 is the principal mediator of menthol-induced analgesia for acute and inflammatory pain. In contrast to menthol, selective TRPM8 agonists may produce analgesia more effectively with diminished side effects.

   2. The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products, J. V. Pergolizzi Jr MD, R. Taylor Jr PhD, J.-A. LeQuang BA, R. B. Raffa PhD, J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018;43:313–319

      Conclusion: Recent elucidation of TRPM8 channels has provided a molecular basis for understanding the molecular action of menthol and its ability to produce both a cooling sensation and a reduction in pain associated with a wide variety of painful conditions. The more modern mechanistic understanding of menthol and its pharmacologic mechanism of action may lead to an expanded role for this substance in the search for replacements for opioid analgesics, particularly those that can be applied topically.

   3. Menthol pain relief through cumulative inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels, Christelle Gaudioso, Jizhe Hao, Marie-France Martin-Eauclaire, Mélanie Gabriac, Patrick Delmas, 2011 International Association for the Study of Pain.

      Conclusion: Menthol is a natural compound of plant origin known to produce a cool sensation via the activation of the TRPM8 channel. Compelling evidence indicates that voltage-gated Na+ channels are critical for experiencing pain sensation. The results indicate that menthol inhibits Na+ channels in a concentration-, voltage-, and frequency-dependent manner. Menthol promoted fast and slow inactivation states, causing a use-dependent depression of Na+ channel activity. We found that low concentrations of menthol cause analgesia in mice, relieving pain produced by a Na+ channel-targeting toxin. We conclude that menthol is a state-selective blocker of Nav1.8, Nav1.9, and TTX-sensitive Na+ channels, indicating a role for Na+ channel blockade in the efficacy of menthol as a topical analgesic compound.

   4. Continuous Low-Level Heatwrap Therapy Relieves Low Back Pain and Reduces Muscle Stiffness, Jill Stark, Jerrold Petrofsky, PhD, JD, Lee Berk, DrPH, Gurinder Bains, MD, PhD, Shijie Chen, PhD, Geraldine Doyle, PhD, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, Volume 42, Issue 4, November 2014, ISSN – 0091-3847.

      Conclusion: The 2-stopwatch methodology is a viable approach for assessing the onset of analgesia in low back pain; however, the plinth may not be a reliable method for assessing flexibility. Consistent with published studies involving much larger sample sizes, the heat wrap provided significantly faster and sustained pain relief than an oral placebo in subjects with acute low back pain.

   5. Continuous Low Level Heat Wraps; Faster Healing and Pain Relief during Rehabilitation for Back, Knee and Neck Injuries. Jerrold Petrofsky, Michael Laymon, Faris Alshammari, Iman Akef Khowailed, Haneul Lee, World Journal of Preventive Medicine, vol. 3, no. 3 (2015): 61-72. doi: 10.12691/jpm-3-3-3.

      Conclusion: Continuous heat wraps are an important adjunct to outpatient rehabilitation therapy, reducing pain and increasing recovery.

   6. The effectiveness of Kinesio Taping® for pain management in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial, Venta Donec and Raimondas Kubilius, Ther Adv Musculoskel Dis 2019, Vol. 11: 1–17.

      Conclusion: Elastic taping can safely relieve knee pain and reduce the need for pharmacological management in KO. In comparison to nonspecific taping, a specific Kinesiotaping technique is clinically more beneficial for knee pain relief. 

   7. Kinesiology Tape: A Descriptive Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the United States, Scott W Cheatham, Russell T Baker, Thomas E, Abdenour,  IJSPT. 2021;16(3):778-796.

Background of above research:

The existing body of kinesiology tape research reveals inconsistent results, which challenges the efficacy of the intervention. Understanding professional beliefs and kinesiology taping clinical application might provide insight for future research and the development of evidence-based guidelines.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to survey and document the beliefs and clinical application methods of kinesiology taping among healthcare professionals in the United States.

Results

One thousand and eighty-three respondents completed the survey. Most respondents used kinesiology taping for post-injury treatment (74%), pain modulation (67%), and neuro-sensory feedback (60%). Most believe that kinesiology taping stimulates skin mechanoreceptors (77%), improves local circulation (69%), and modulates pain (60%). Some respondents (40%) thought kinesiology taping only had a placebo effect, while others (58%) used it for therapeutic purposes. Most used a standard uncut roll (67%) in black (71%) or beige (66%). Most respondents did not use any specialty pre-cut tape (83%), infused tape (99.54%), or a topical analgesic with tape (65%). The most common tape tension lengths used by respondents were 50% tension (47%) and 25% (25%) tension. Patient-reported outcomes (80%) were the most common clinical measures. Most respondents provided skin prep (64%) and tape removal (77%) instructions. Some did not provide any skin prep (36%), tape removal (23%), or both instructions. The average recommended time to wear kinesiology taping was two to three days (60%). The maximum time ranged from two to five days (81%).